A Riel Headache: Can Cambodia End the Dollar's Reign?

By Sam Campbell
Economics Today

The Great Recession has brought currency issues—especially the threat of a Euro crisis—to the fore. But for dollarized countries, currency headaches have long been part of the landscape.

With an estimated 90 percent share of money in circulation in Cambodia denominated in dollars, the kingdom is heavily dollarized.

The US dollar is the main alternative currency across Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, though only in Cambodia is the greenback uncontested top dog. The Cambodian central bank has repeatedly intervened to defend the riel, raising the question of whether Cambodia should try to de-dollarize its economy. For full article, click Economics Today.

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"Toeu Khmer Kuor Or, Reu Kuor Kheung?" a Poem in Khmer by K.C.

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Thailand and Cambodia vie over temple [-Correction: Preah Vihear temple is Cambodia's property!]

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Zoe Daniel
ABC (Australia)

Listen to this story (MP3)

ELIZABETH JACKSON: A renewed stoush has broken out over the management of the disputed Preah Vihear temple on the border of Thailand and Cambodia.

Two years ago the temple was given World Heritage Status and now Cambodia has submitted a management plan for the site.

But this week protestors took to the streets of Bangkok opposing the plan.

The Thai government threatened to pull out of UNESCO altogether, arguing the plan threatens Thai sovereignty and regional peace.

South East Asia correspondent Zoe Daniel reports from Bangkok.

ZOE DANIEL: There are few more divisive issues in South East Asia than the ownership of the majestic Preah Vihear temple that perches on the mountainous border between Thailand and Cambodia.

The temple was declared to belong to Cambodia in 1962 and in 2008 it was given World Heritage Status.

But Thailand has always disputed Cambodia's ownership of the site and opposed the World Heritage application.

Now Cambodia's management plan for the area has re-opened debate. Thailand argued against it even being considered by UNESCO.

Thailand is now celebrating after discussion on the plan was delayed.

Natural Resources and environment minister Suwit Khunkitti.

SUWIT KHUNKITTI (translated): The important outcome was the postponement of the decision until next year.

ZOE DANIEL: UNESCO says the Cambodian plan was submitted to the wrong committee. It involves the management of the temple and its surrounds.

But Thailand argues that it breaches its sovereignty because 4.6 square kilometres of the surrounding area belongs to Thailand.

Cambodian Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan disagrees.

PHAY SIPHAN: We do our best to keep that area to be peace and respect the people interests and respect what decision of the World Heritage. So we as a civilised nation, we treat everybody like a- respectably like a civilised nation – abide with our international obligation.

ZOE DANIEL: In fact Thailand's prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva threatened that Thailand would resign from UNESCO if the plan was adopted.

About one thousand people rallied outside UNESCO's offices in Bangkok in support of his stance.

There have been intermittent skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian troops in the vicinity of the temple in the past two years and the prime minister warned the Thai army stands ready to defend the country's sovereignty.

Cambodian Council Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan accuses him of playing politics.

PHAY SIPHAN: I’m just back from the border and the military – Thai military – they understand that. I told them and they told me that ‘We’re not going to fight (inaudible) because of politics’.

They know that a current government – Thai government – lead by Abhisit is looking for political support by using Preah Vihear as the extreme nationalist for them to earn support, earn popularity from the Thais. He’s not honest (with) the Thai people.

ZOE DANIEL: The plan for the management of the temple will now be considered next year.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: Zoe Daniel with that report from Bangkok.

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"L'gneach Chout Teuk Phnaek" a Poem in Khmer by Yim Guechsè

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Life in the Ansorm Chrouk kingdoom

Story inspired by the Iron Curtain
Adapted by Lucky Unlucky

What language do they speak in hell?

The year is 2050, the kingdoom of Keapucham (aka Champa II) is now completely absorbed into the Indochinese Federation controlled by communist Vietnam. A Viet officer is walking in the park and he sees an old Khmer man reading a book.

The Viet says "What are you reading old man?" The old man says "I am trying to teach myself Pali."

The Viet says "Why are you trying to learn Pali? It takes years to get a visa to visit Bodhgaya. You would die before the paperwork got done."

"I am learning Pali so that when I die and go to Nirvana I will be able to speak to Lord Buddha. Pali is the language they speak in Nirvana," the old man replies.

"But what if when you die you go to Hell?" asks the Viet officer.

And the old man replies, "Vietnamese, I already know."
----------
Bodh Gaya or Bodhgaya is a religious place in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for being the place of Gautama Buddha's attainment of Enlightenment.
-----------------------------
Let me shoot!

Samdach Akak Moha Sena Badey Daycho Hun Xen claimed that in September 1998, a dissident man tried to assassinate him by firing rocket-propelled grenade into his motorcade. The rocket barely missed Samdach Hun Xen. A listener to Radio Bayon called and asked: “Why did the man who shot at Samdach Hun Xen motorcade in Siem Reap miss such a large target?”

Radio Bayon’s answer: “Because citizens who happened to be next to him tried to wrestle the rocket launcher from him and shouted, ‘Let me shoot!’”

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[Thai] PM tells media to study UNESCO resolution as Cambodia claims victory on Preah Vihear issue

BANGKOK, July 31 (MCOT online news) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday told media to carefully read the World Heritage Commission (WHC) resolution after Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An claimed a 'victory' as the heritage agency agreed to review its Preah Vihear temple management plan, despite the action coming a year from now.

Asked to comment on the report, Mr Abhisit told journalists succinctly to "Please find out and read the resolution [yourself]...."

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage commission on Thursday postponed discussing the issue until next year when it meets in Bahrain.

The heritage commission dropped the issue because its meeting secretariat had not distributed the Cambodian-prepared document to committee members six weeks beforehand as required but gave it to members less than one day before the WHC meeting.

It postponed discussion on the thorny issue because the two neighbouring countries could not find common ground to settle the disputed 4.6 sq km of lightly forested land near the temple.

Mr Abhisit’s remarks followed Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An's live TV speech by satellite from Brazil boasting that Cambodia had achieved its goal when the UNESCO committee agreed to consider its plan for managing Preah Vihear temple -- but not emphasising it would be next year.

The Associated Press reported from Phnom Penh quoted Mr Sok An as saying Friday that “UNESCO has officially accepted our management plan documents, so there is no need to have a further discussion or voting. The result ... is a big victory for Cambodia, [the] result we have been waiting for.”

The International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962 and the ruling has rankled in Thailand ever since.

For Thailand the issue worsened on July 7, 2008, when Preah Vihear was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Under the terms of the listing, Cambodia is required to submit a management plan for WHC approval.

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RFA Forum to be held in Southern California, please attend to voice your concerns

Click on the flyers to zoom in

Location map:


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Dear All,

Congressman Ed Royce of 40th district which includes Fullerton , Anaheim , Buena Park will host a Radio Free Asia (RFA) Forum on Thursday Aug 12, 2010 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

It will broadcasted on RFA for people around the world to listen. It is important for the Cambodian community to join and voice their concerns.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could come and join this important event.

Thank you!

S.S.

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Cambodian Hero With Texas A&M Ties CNN’s “Hero Of The Week”

July 30, 2010
Texas A&M News & Information Services

CNN’s “Hero of the Week” is Aki Ra, a Cambodian whose land mine museum has ties to Texas A&M University. Ra is being featured this weekend on the network’s various stations.

Ra and his Self Help Demining organization have cleared about 50,000 mines and unexploded weapons since 1993. The Cambodian Land Mine Museum in Siem Reap, Cambodia, was Aggie-designed and partially funded by members of the Texas A&M student chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students, who held a fun run and a T-shirt sale to raise money for the project.

Footage from a documentary about Ra titled “A Perfect Soldier” premiered Thursday on CNN, CNN International, CNN Breaking News and CNN Espanol. Footage will be shown as part of the CNN Hero story, airing several times Friday and over the weekend, then being re-broadcast later in August.

Scheduled airings (adjusted to Central Time) are:

• Friday (July 30): 1-2 p.m. on CNN, 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight on HLN; and 7 p.m. on CNNI.
• Saturday (July 31): 9 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on CNN; 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. on HLN.
• Re-runs are schedule on Monday (Aug. 2), Tuesday (Aug. 3) and (Aug. 8).

For more details, go to http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/index.html. Future updates as well as behind-the-scenes video updates, pictures, and commentary from the filmmakers will be posted on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Perfect-Soldier/10150094017135644.

Aki Ra’s website for his project is http://www.cambodianselfhelpdemining.org/.

Texas A&M architecture student involvement in the Cambodian project began in fall 2003, when Richard Fitoussi, director of the Cambodian Land Mine Museum Relief Fund (CLMMRF), requested student designs for a new facility to replace the existing museum. Texas A&M architecture design studios participated and the design by students of Julie Rogers, a senior lecturer in architecture who has a special interest in Southeast Asian art and architecture, was chosen for the project. Rogers’ group of students consulted with professional architects on the design.

The museum site was dedicated in April 2007.

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Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd are on strike

Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd are seen with Cambodia's national flag during a strike in protest against the suspension of a local union official at their factory in Phnom Phenh July 30, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end the week-long strike. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd are seen during a strike in protest against the suspension of a local union official at their factory in Phnom Phenh July 30, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end the week-long strike. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Workers of PCCS Garments Ltd look out from gaps between their factory gates during a strike in protest against the suspension of a local union official in Phnom Phenh July 30, 2010. At least nine female garment workers were injured on Tuesday in clashes with riot police who used shields and electric shock batons to try to end the week-long strike. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

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UNESCO finds compromise on Preah Vihear temple issue

via Khmer NZ

By Luc Citrinot, etn | Jul 30, 2010

It is a rather sad story for Preah Vihear temple, a 11° century jewel of Angkor architecture which unfortunately lies on a tip of a promontory just on the border line between Cambodia and Thailand. For decades, the temple has been the witness of a war of words, skirmishes and even sporadic fights between Cambodian and Thai troops due to territorial claims. Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia since 1907, a decision which was confirmed by an international judgment in 1962. Two years ago, Preah Vihear was finally listed as a World Heritage Site.

Photo by Michael Sam, TerkEarth

This week, the meeting of the World Heritage Commission in Brasilia was supposed to endorse Cambodia’s management plans for the temple area. But Thailand voiced its strong concern, threatening to withdraw from the Heritage Committee as it complained not to have been consulted.

According to Sue Williams, UNESCO spokesperson, Preah Vihear Temple is listed as a Cambodian World Heritage Property and is therefore administered by Cambodia. But to complicate things, parts of the temple’s surrounding and access are on Thai territory. Both Cambodia and Thailand claim a 4.2 km² buffer zone under their sovereignty. Thailand discovered that Preah Vihear management as presented by Cambodia would have integrated one km² belonging to the contested buffer area…

UNESCO has been greatly embarrassed by this battle which seems to belong to another age. “The problem concerns a contested border between the two countries. This is not an issue that UNESCO or the World heritage Committee can do anything about. It must be solved by the two countries concerned”, indicates Mrs Williams. Thailand’s threat to leave would have a devastating impact for the credibility of the organisation. However, Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva remained firm on the issue and indicated that Thailand would not back any management plan for the area as long as a demarcation line between both countries has not been acknowledged.

Meanwhile, UNESCO World Heritage Committee took the decision… to take no decision! The management plan’s approval for Preah Vihear will be effectively postponed by one year until the WHC meets again next year in Bahrain. According to Director-general of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, the first concern of the World Heritage Committee is to protect and promote mankind heritage, and this with full respect and without prejudice to the sovereignty of Member States or to any territorial claims. "Protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural heritage means building peace, respect and solidarity which lies at the heart of UNESCO's mission. It is our common responsibility to makes these sites emblems of peace, dialogue and reconciliation," she said.

Meanwhile, the tragedy is more for Preah Vihear temple itself. It has been closed to the public for a year now due to safety concerns. And instead of being celebrated as a proud testimony of Hinduism heritage by both kingdoms of Cambodia and Thailand, emphasizing together their common history and helping to a better understanding, it has been turned into an object of argument and even into a battle area. To the sake of the own private agenda of both Cambodian and Thai politicians…

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Thais rally after UNESCO postpones ruling on disputed temple

via Khmer NZ

Posted : Fri, 30 Jul 2010

By : dpa

Bangkok - Several hundred Thais demonstrated in Bangkok Friday in support of their country's territorial rights after the UN's World Heritage Committee postponed a decision on a disputed temple on the Thai-Cambodian border.

The committee, part of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was scheduled to rule Thursday on a Cambodian management plan for an 11th century Hindu temple straddling the border that has been a bone of contention between the two neighbours for decades.

At a meeting in the Brazilian capital Brasilia, the 21-member committee decided to postpone the decision until next year's meeting in Bahrain, after accusations of procedural errors.

The temple, known as Preah Vihear in Thailand and Phra Viharn in Cambodia, belongs to Cambodia under a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice. But jurisdiction of 4.6 square kilometres of land adjacent to the temple is still in dispute.

Thai Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti, who is leading his delegation in Brazil, told the committee the Cambodian government had failed to follow proper procedures in submitting its management plan for the temple and adjacent land.

The committee therefore decided to postpone its decision. The delay "will allow Thailand more time for to discuss the issue and to find solutions," the minister was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva threatened to quit the World Heritage Committee if it approved the Cambodian plan.

The stone Hindu temple ruins were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site two years ago and Phnom Penh was required to submit a management plan to the committee.

Organizers of Friday's demonstration at UNESCO's Bangkok office, who held a larger rally there on Tuesday, said further rallies were planned in support of the Thai territorial claims.

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Good Signs Over Postponement Of Temple Management Plan

via khmer NZ

By Jamaluddin Muhammad

BANGKOK, July 30 (Bernama) -- The postponement of the Unesco World Heritage Committee's decision on the Preah Vihear Temple management plan to next year, will enable Thailand and Cambodia to seek a solution to the overlapping territorial claim adjacent to the temple.

Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Security Matters Suthep Thaugsauban said today it would be good for Thailand and Cambodia to go to the negotiation table and solve the problem during that time.

The World Heritage Committee meeting in Brasilia, Brazil, last night was postponed to next year in Bahrain, following Thailand's opposition to the management plan.

Thailand threatened to resign from the World Heritage Committee if the meeting went ahead and approved the management plan for the 11th century Hindu temple submitted by Phnom Penh.

Thailand is concerned that the plan could include part or all of a disputed 4.6 square kilometre area adjacent to the temple claimed by both countries.

According to the ruling of the International Court of Justice in 1962, the temple is situated in a territory under Cambodia's sovereignty.

Unesco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, listed the temple as a world heritage site in 2008.

Since then, both countries have been at loggerheads when Thailand protested Cambodia's move to list the ancient temple as a world heritage site.

Soldiers from both sides have clashed on several occasions and tension at the border remains as both have overlapping claims over ownership to the temple access.

Suthep does not worry about the situation at the Thailand-Cambodia border, following the latest development in Brazil because Thailand undertook a peaceful solution.

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Thai civil network demands Cambodian pushback from contested Preah Vihear zone

http://www.mcot.net/

via Khmer NZ

BANGKOK, July 30 – The “Thais Love Nation” network called on the government to push back Cambodian troops and residents from the area around the Preah Vihear temple and not to support the listing of Preah Vihear as a World Heritage SIte until the border demarcation is clarified inline with the natural watershed.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong and Karun Sai-ngam led their civil society group to gather at Government House Friday and submitted a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva through Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The protesters called on the government to revoke all agreements that put Thailand at a disadvantage with Cambodia after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee (WHC) on Thursday postponed discussing Cambodia’s management plan for the Preah Vihear temple to its meeting next year in Bahrain.

They gave the government a seven day deadline to act on their demand and said they will come back to hear the government's answer.

Mr Chavanond said the Thai government was adamant that the border demarcation under the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia must be completed before the endorsement of the management plan for the area around Preah Vihear.

He said it was not certain that the border demarcation will be finished in one year.

The issue has to be considered by Parliament and bilateral talks between Thailand and Cambodia will be arranged later.

He said the postponement of management plan consideration by the WHC would not have an impact on Thai-Cambodian relations.

One year from now, Thailand will clarify the issue to the WHC members to understand that Thailand does not want to have conflict but it asks only for fairness and opportunity to explain the matter to all sides, he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Culture Somsuda Leeyawanit, one of 21 WHC members, said from Brasilia where the WHC is meeting that all Thai related parties including foreign affairs, culture, natural resources, and environment ministries and security agencies discuss the issue seriously on returning to Thailand.

Mrs Somsuda said an operations office may be set up to consider the issue thoroughly, such as whether the map Cambodian used is correct or how Cambodia's move affects Thailand.

She said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti will lead the Thai working team as he has been monitoring the issue from the beginning.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia.

The site of the historic structure, on the disputed Thai-Cambodian border has long been a point of contention between the two neighbours.

On July 7, 2008, Preah Vihear temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Under the terms of the listing, Cambodia is required to submit a management plan for WHC approval. (MCOT online news)

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"Teuk Tracheak Trei Ngo-ab" a Poem in Khmer by Sam Vichea

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Errors stall Cambodian temple bid [-Can Thailand be trusted with its report of success?]

Phnom Penh urged to review WHC listing

31/07/2010
Bangkok Post

Unesco's World Heritage Committee has postponed a decision on Cambodia's development plan for the Preah Vihear temple partly because it submitted a graphical illustration instead of a map, says a source in the Thai delegation.

Other reasons for the committee's postponement include evidence that Cambodia had deployed heavy weapons in the temple, that the country had failed to submit relevant documents on time, and that a memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia over the disputed territory in the area had not been settled. [KI-Media note: these are the excuses that Thailand pushed forward, but now it turns around and claims that they came from WHC instead!!!]

The WHC decided to delay its decision on the management plan until next year's meeting in Bahrain because Thailand and Cambodia were unable to find common ground.

Brazil, the host of the meeting, had mediated between the two countries for an hour before the decision to postpone was made.

" The use of the graphical illustration, instead of a real map, has suggested a possible intent to conceal details about the areas surrounding the temple," the source said.

The Thai delegation capitalised on this by supplying a map that shows the construction of a road by Cambodia in the disputed overlapping 4.6 square kilometre zone.

Under a 2002 memorandum of understanding between Thailand and Cambodia, both sides agreed not to carry out any work in the area pending a survey to officially demarcate the common land boundary.

According to the source, the delegation has also submitted photos of a Cambodian installation of heavy artillery and troops in the temple.

"The Thai delegation had three minutes to talk to each of the WHC members. Our evidence made them feel that Cambodia's case was incomplete," said the source.

The source also called on Thai authorities not to get carried away with the delay and be prepared for the next WHC meeting.

"Cambodia has already set up a special body known as the Department of World Heritage, and we should also have a body that is responsible for this matter. It may be a long battle," said the source.

Part of the success of the Thai delegation led by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti should be attributed to three military officers who accompanied them on the trip: Lt Gen Thawatchai Samutsakhon, chief of the 2nd army corps, Lt Gen Niphat Thonglek, commander of border affairs attached to the Supreme Command, and Maj Gen Noppadol Chotisiri, deputy chief of the Army Survey Department.

Mr Suwit said yesterday the WHC's postponement of its decision on the site was partly because Cambodia had failed to submit its documents six weeks before the meeting as required.

As a result, the Thai delegation pointed out to the committee that it did not have enough time to study the proposal which could affect the country's sovereignty, Mr Suwit said.

He said the WHC acknowledged the problem and wanted both countries to work out a solution before it considered a management plan.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday pledged to direct necessary resources to examine Cambodia's management plan now that the WHC had postponed its decision on the matter.

He said concerned authorities would spend the next 12 months studying the proposal, so that Thailand is able to present an informed opinion to the WHC at its next meeting in Bahrain.

"Within a period of one year, we will look at Cambodia's document and come up with a comprehensive recommendation [to the WHC]. It will be different [next year]. We have a chance and we have to do our best," he said.

Mr Abhisit said the 2000 memorandum of understanding on the survey and land boundary demarcation Thailand signed with Cambodia was instrumental in the postponement.

According to Mr Abhisit, it was the memorandum that forced Cambodia into conceding that border demarcation had not yet been settled.

He said the issue should prompt Cambodia to review its decision to have the temple listed as a world heritage site and acknowledge the limitations that come with that designation.

Mr Abhisit said that before Cambodia's unilateral bid to register Preah Vihear temple as a world heritage site, both countries were able to use the site for economic benefit without incident.

As for the alleged encroachment into the disputed zone, he said the Foreign Ministry had already sent a message that Thailand expected Cambodia to respect the memorandum of understanding.

Mr Abhisit said authorities would look into reports about Cambodia's alleged encroachment.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban played down speculation about renewed tensions, saying the delay would allow both countries to work out border disputes.

He said that any disputes with Cambodia would be dealt with at the government level.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday said there was no need to dispatch more troops to the Thai-Cambodian border despite a report that two battalions and heavy artillery had been sent there

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Cambodia claims win in UNESCO tussle over temple

Saturday, July 31, 2010
By SOPHENG CHEANG (AP)

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia declared victory Friday in a diplomatic standoff with Thailand after the U.N. cultural agency agreed to consider its plan for managing a temple that is on land claimed by both countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Sok An said that Cambodia had achieved its goal when UNESCO's World Heritage Commission agreed on Thursday to consider its plan for the Preah Vihear temple on the border with Thailand.

However, UNESCO's decision to defer the matter to its meeting next year takes pressure off both countries.

Thailand, which claims the plan jeopardizes its claim to disputed territory, had threatened to quit UNESCO if the plan was endorsed at Thursday's meeting in Brazil. Thai officials said they viewed the postponement of the plan's consideration as progress.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled the 10th-century border temple belongs to Cambodia, rejecting Thai claims. UNESCO — over Thai objections — named Preah Vihear a World Heritage site in 2008, after Cambodia applied for the status. Cambodia's World Heritage bid reignited Thai resentment over the earlier ruling, and there have been small and sometimes deadly armed clashes in the area during the past few years.

Leaders of both countries have used the issue to stir up nationalist sentiment and shore up domestic political support. In Thailand, nationalist pressure groups demonstrated this week for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to take a hard line against Cambodia and UNESCO. The two sides' military leaders spoke about strengthening their respective forces at the border in preparation for any incursions from the other side.

Sok An led the Cambodian delegation at the UNESCO meeting, and spoke by satellite from Brazil live on television.

"UNESCO has officially accepted our management plan documents, so there is no need to have a further discussion or voting," Sok An said. "The result of the meeting is a big victory for Cambodia, a result we have been waiting for."

Thai officials insist that demarcation of the disputed land must come before UNESCO endorses any management plan.

"How we're going to move forward is a matter to be discussed by both sides," said Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova released a statement earlier this week calling for dialogue between the two countries. "It is our common responsibility to make these sites emblems of peace, dialogue and reconciliation," she said.

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Hun Xen’s office denies granting authorization for a casino in Siem Reap: The price of the tea money was not right?

Bellus Angkor posted the above photos taken on 08 Aug 2008 where its stated: "Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, H.E. Sok An had a press interview with a reporter from Korean Maeil Business Newspaper. ICG also attended this event. DPM Sok An expressed strong support for ICG's project during the interview"

A plan view of the development touted by Bellus Angkor which clearly shows a "gaming center", ie "casino"

Click on the statement in Khmer to zoom in

Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Office of Hun Xen, Prime minister

To Mr. Kevin Doyle,
Editor-in-chief of The Cambodia Daily

Subject: Correction to The Cambodia Daily’s article titled: “Casino To Open Near Siem Reap” dated 30 July 2010

Dear Editor-in-chief!

The office of the prime minister denies completely the information published in your newspaper as stated on the subject above. I am informing you that, in the past, the Cambodian government never authorized any foreign or local company to open a casino within Siem Reap province, and in the meeting with the Intercity Group on 29 July 2010, the prime minister did not authorize Intercity Group to open a casino as reported in your newspaper. Therefore, the report is totally false.

Therefore, please be informed and make the necessary correction.

Please accept my deepest regards,

Phnom Penh, 30 July 2010

Cabinet chef

Ho Sithy

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A Temple Too Far?

Cambodian soldiers at Preah Vihear temple

Friday, July 30, 2010
Op-Ed by MP

"The Khmer people have been no strangers to such things as grief and suffering, but if come under attack they will likely summon all their resolve and strain their every sinew to defend their sacred ancestral grounds. As for the Thais, should they decide to make good their threat, my hunch is, Preah Vihear could prove ‘a bridge too far’ for them."

NATIONALISM at its heart is an emotive force and can be a dangerous aberration as the tone of some of the reports we have coming from the Thai press and media would seem to indicate.

Most Thais have learned through selective history texts only of 'Thai territories' lost to the French at the turn of the last century. Indeed many Thais have been led to believe that all of present-day Cambodia had once been part of their domain. Some prominent Thai officials have even claimed that the Thais love Cambodia more than the Cambodians themselves love their own country. If this refers to the Thais' insatiable appetite for more portions of Khmer land or to the disunity and incompetence in sections of the Cambodian elite down the centuries, then it is perhaps a claim difficult to dismiss out of hand. The point is, if the Thais feel genuine grievances over these so-called 'lost territories' which had been under continued Thai/Siamese subjugation or influence for perhaps a few hundred years at the most, how much greater might be the sense of injustice and grievance the Khmer people have had to bear over territories ceded by one means or another to both Vietnam and Siam, and in view of the fact that these territories had also been known to be part of the Khmer Universe since before recorded history?

The ICJ's resolution could not have been 'murky' or 'unclear' about the Temple's environs or its proximities including ludicrous references - in some sections of Thai influenced media - to 'the land underneath the Temple' itself. Not if the Resolution rules that the Temple stood on Cambodian soil - unless one imagines that the Temple can be sustained in mid-air?

In fact, any structural dimension of this Temple whether it consists of a causeway or staircase forms an integral part of the Temple as a whole and must be considered inextricably linked to it. Otherwise, what we have is a dismembered rather than a single compact structure. On the other hand, If the Temple is more accessible from the Thai side of the border it is more an evidence of the ICJ’s or the Franco-Siamese Treaty’s shortcomings in ensuring that Cambodia would have ownership over the house as well as the entrance path leading up to it than any supporting factor in favour of the Thais’ claim to the area, or indeed the fault of geography itself.

Of course, at the time of the Temple’s construction, Thailand or Siam had not even existed on the mainland of South East Asia. Moreover, as I understand it the ‘watershed principle’ is only meant as a general operating norm subject to variations as to existing topographic, cultural features or details where necessary, exemplified perfectly in this case by the Temple complex as such, and I think this basic assumption is what is subsumed in the Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1906-1907 and what underlies the ICJ's judgement of 1962 in Cambodia's favour.

The Khmer people may be a little lost and confused after centuries of wars and strife (starting with the cultural genocide committed against the Khmers by the Siamese Kingdom of Ayutthaya around mid 14th century onward) as to certain forms of cultural identity, but they would never have sufficient cause to resort to applying alien appellations such as the prefix ‘Hindu’ by which to identify their historical roots and ancestral heritage. That such a term is used at all is indicative of both intellectual dishonesty and a shameless, contrived instance of Thai political correctness gone mad. One could write many books about the Hindu civilisation, but they would be more pertinent to that dawn of Indian civilisation that arose over several thousand years ago in the Hindus Valley somewhere on the Indian sub-continent, than it is to the sacred Prasats built by the Khmer kings, even if Brahmanism – but not this religious influence alone - can be said to have informed their world view or religiosity.

The latest news is that the WHC has postponed its discussion of Cambodia’s management plan proposal to another year on technical procedural grounds. This decision should not be allowed to overly impinge upon or hinder Cambodia’s desperate need for economic investment and rebuilding in the area concerned notwithstanding Bangkok’s delaying tactics and objecting nuisances of which Cambodia already has more than enough.

Legally or technically, it may appear that the Thais are not after the Temple itself, but only the so-called ‘disputed’ surrounding areas. Yet, if the Thais are to have their way over this dispute, it is the actual intrinsic capital that the Temple contains as mediated through its commercial and economic appeal and repercussions that will ultimately sooth their appetite. So yes, in other words, it is the Temple that they really want first and foremost, over and above even considerations of national sovereignty or security; something they have ostensibly invoked to front their true motives, fooling the Thai public and international opinion alike in the process.

How could any decent soul be swayed by a ruling elite that has seen nothing wrong in formally churning hard foreign currency out of the flesh and humiliation of thousands of poor vulnerable young women; who even jest that ‘the flesh industry’, whatever else it implies, is still nonetheless ‘good for the national balance of payment’? Even our much derided and uncultured Prime Minister who had never been to Eton or Oxbridge for learning has shown far better moral scruples on this subject of vice, even if he has been somewhat ineffectual in matching his rhetoric with action.

There is nothing wrong with the proposed Management Plan in the area around the Preah Vihear temple. After Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, Preah Vihear has the potential to become Cambodia's second most popular tourist destination owing perhaps to its breath-taking location and topography and therefore any resulting economic benefit will have been felt far beyond the immediate region, not excluding Thai businesses and local people on either side of the Dangrek Range. Cambodia also has every right to construct highways and erect facilities to integrate this landmark region into her own national setup in order to engender or stimulate rural development.

One could only hope that there are cooler heads and more sensible forces within the Bangkok administration than the ones penning one-sided – if amusing - pieces that have been appearing on the pages of The Nation and Bangkok Post newspapers in the last few years. Politicians –like most mortals - are capable of reacting and/or succumbing to pressure exerted upon them through the media. The most potent and sinister influence that could drive the Thais into a fateful armed collision with Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple issue again, however, will have to be their own self-perpetuated delusion that their nation’s habitual imperial rise – manifest destiny - in the region has been rather unnecessarily inconvenienced by a small, poverty-ridden nation like Cambodia. Such a scenario is of course something to be dreaded, not least because of war’s inevitable ‘collateral’ exactions upon humanity.

The Khmer people have been no strangers to such things as grief and suffering, but if come under attack they will likely summon all their resolve and strain their every sinew to defend their sacred ancestral grounds. As for the Thais, should they decide to make good their threat, my hunch is, Preah Vihear could prove ‘a bridge too far’ for them.

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Cambodia reports new death of Mekong River dolphin

July 30, 2010
Xinhua

A Mekong river dolphin was found dead in Kratie province in Cambodian's north eastern part, a government official said Friday.

Touch Seang Tana, chairman of Cambodia's Commission for Conversation and Development of the Mekong River Dolphins Eco- tourism Zone, said the river dolphin believed at age of 27 was found dead on Thursday as it was netted in a laying fishing net in the stream.

He said the dolphin, male, was already old and it had swum out of the protected zone looking for foods and accidently spotted in the fishing net.

He said it weighed 156 kilograms with 2.3 meters long.

Touch Seang Tana estimated dolphins numbered at about 150 to 170 today are living in Cambodia's two provinces of Stung Treng and Kratie, while there were only about 120 in 2000.

Last year, International conservation watchdog, known as WWF issued a report saying and warning that pollution in the Mekong River has pushed the local population of Irrawaddy dolphins to the brink of extinction.

The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin has been listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 2004.

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Theary Seng's Clarification on the France 24 Phone Interview

Theary Seng's Clarification on the France 24 Phone Interview

Friday, July 30, 2010
By Theary C. Seng

Regarding the telephone interview I gave yesterday (July 28) with France 24, I would like to make the following clarifications:

1. I am the founder of the Center for Justice & Reconciliation and founding president of CIVICUS: Center for Cambodian Civic Education, no longer of the Center for Social Development since the politically-motivated injunction order removing me in July 2009.

2. There is real fear that Duch, not a "senior" Khmer Rouge leader, will be made the sole scapegoat of the murderous, genocidal KR regime; we know this current Cambodian government never wanted this Tribunal and certainly not the Case 002 involving the senior KR leaders to move forward.

Hence I have two theories viewed through the lens of political interference:

(i) The dramatic, public sacking of Duch UN lawyer Francois Roux at the eleventh hour is to irreversibly discredit Duch as a star witness in Case 002 involving the senior KR leaders, the heart of the Tribunal. Duch has been consistent in implicating the senior KR leaders. What is the best way to discredit a star witness but by attacking his credibility. Before Duch's changing of position and sacking of his lawyer, it was an open question whether Duch has rehabilitated and genuine in his remorse and confession; the switch and the sacking erased any credibility for many regarding Duch's reformed character and will cast an even darker shadow on anything he will have to say in Case 002.

(ii) Because this Tribunal has been so contextualized by political interests and regularly punctured with overt invidious political interference, it is difficult for me not to be a bit cynical to think that the incomprehensibly lenient sentence has the hand of politics behind it to create this cynicism that is unfortunately surfacing.

BUT, BUT... we need to think of the larger picture which is the demand of Case 002. Without the start and completion of Case 002, this Tribunal will be considered a failure - a waste of everyone's time, energy, resources in the millions and worst the embedding of irreversible cynicism in a society already so fractured by distrust and fear. We CANNOT, CANNOT let this happen. We have to move on from our anger and disappointment and channel that energy toward advocating, demanding for the quick start of Case 002, the heart of this Tribunal.

- Theary Seng, Phnom Penh, 29 July 2010. www.thearyseng.com

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Thai sore losers' empty threats work: Unesco delays decision on management to Bahrain meeting next year

July 30, 2010
The Nation

Unesco committee on World Heritage decided to delay decision on Preah Vihear management plan for another year after Thailand and Cambodia stood firm on their positions concerning the plan.

The committee meeting in Brasilia of Brazil will reconsider the plan again when they meet in Bahrain next year.

Earlier Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti made several attempts yesterday to block Cambodia's management plan for the Preah Vihear temple from the World Heritage Committee's consideration while the delegation from Phnom Penh stood firm.

Cambodia insisted on pushing forward with the plan, saying it had already given Thailand too much.

The committee's consideration on the plan was delayed twice from July 28 to at about 10pm yesterday and again to 3am Friday.

Suwit proposed the postponement for another year when the yesterday meeting failed to reach any conclusion.

Thailand and Cambodia were once again at loggerheads over the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear when Cambodia submitted its management plan to run the world heritage-designated temple.

Unesco's World Heritage Commit-tee is holding its annual meeting in Brasilia.

Preah Vihear has been inscribed on the world heritage list since July 2008 and Cambodia was obligated to submit for consideration its management plan for the temple.

Thailand expressed its concern over the plan, fearing Cambodia might make the disputed areas adjacent to the temple a buffer zone.

The Cambodian plan does not include areas to the north and the west of the temple, which are the subject of a border dispute with Thailand, according to a source close to the meeting.

At a meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on the sidelines of the World Heritage Committee meeting, Suwit raised his concern that the area to the east of the temple, which is the core zone for the listed property, is also under Thai sovereignty.

The Thai Cabinet, after the ruling by the International Court of Justice in 1962, had relinquished the eastern area to Preah Vihear. However, Thai officials at the meeting in Brazil yesterday insisted that the area remained under Thai sovereignty.

Cambodia rejected the Thai claim and the meeting between Suwit and Sok An failed to find any common ground.

Meanwhile, Suwit prepared measures to respond to the Unesco and World Heritage Committee's decision. He was lobbying to have consideration of the plan delayed for at least one year. If the lobbying efforts failed, Suwit planned to issue a statement of protest, objecting to the temple management plan.

The protest statement for the records would state that Thailand would never recognise Cambodia's right over the Preah Vihear temple, the source said.

As a final option, Thailand might withdraw its membership from the World Heritage Committee, he said.

Cambodia said Thailand's move would harm its international reputation, as the objection to the Preah Vihear plan was an attempt by the Thai government and its extremist alliance to spoil the good relations between the two countries.

"Cambodia doesn't care at all about the objection," Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers, was quoted as saying by The Phnom Penh Post.

The Cambodian government's spokesman, Phay Siphan, said the so-called overlapping area of 4.6 square kilometres adjacent to the Preah Vihear as claimed by Thailand was based on a unilaterally produced map but the Cambodian claim was based on the 1908 Siam-Franco map.

"Thailand's falsified establishment of the map to claim the area is an international crime," he said.

"Now Thailand's policy is, if they get nothing, they want to co-manage the eco-management."

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the management plan of Preah Vihear should not be approved until Thailand and Cambodia had settled the border dispute over the areas surrounding the temple.

The Joint Boundary Committee of the two countries is now in the process of negotiating the boundary demarcation but its work has made little progress.

Abhisit said that ideally all problems could be settled if Cambodia allowed Thailand to propose the Preah Vihear jointly as a World Heritage Site.

Thousands of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) members last night gathered in front of the Unesco regional office in Bangkok's Sukhumvit Road, waiting for the World Heritage Committee's decision on the Cambodian plan.

The PAD is a strong pressure group that is forcing the government to oppose the Cambodian plan over fear of losing territory.

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Thailand's military, government in sync

Thai soldiers hold anti-government protesters in their encampment in Bangkok on May 19, ending a nine-month showdown that caused up to 90 deaths. (ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS)

Prime minister needs to keep army on his side

Thursday, July 29, 2010
By Richard S. Ehrlich The Washington Times

BANGKOK - Since the quelling of the Red Shirt pro-democracy protests in May, Thailand has witnessed a show of unity between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, whose legitimacy in office has been questioned, and the military, a key player in the government's stability.

Local media - especially those controlled by the military - have spotlighted the government's leadership and the military's efforts to restore peace during and after the protests, while contrary views of the crackdown on the Red Shirts have been censored.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abhisit has approved a controversial defense budget and declined to investigate complaints of mismanaged military expenditures, as several army leaders are expected to be promoted, at least partly for their performance in quashing the Red Shirt rebellion.

Mr. Abhisit can ill afford a disgruntled military, which overthrew this Buddhist-majority country's last nationally elected prime minister - Thaksin Shinawatra - in 2006 and has conducted or attempted 18 coups since the 1930s whenever it has deemed such action necessary.

Mr. Thaksin's ouster, in part, sparked the Red Shirt demonstrations in downtown Bangkok this spring, which the U.S.-trained army put down with snipers, assault rifles and armored personnel carriers. As many as 90 people were killed and 1,900 injured during the nine-week showdown.

"Since the army is the only tool the Abhisit government has against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Red Shirts, there is no question it has to keep the military happy," the English-language Bangkok Post reported this month.

Among the military leaders awaiting promotion is Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is expected to succeed Gen. Anupong Paochinda as army commander in chief after the latter retires Oct. 1. Mr. Abhisit and Gen. Anupong reportedly have agreed to the change of command.

Colleagues and Thai military analysts regard Gen. Prayuth, 56, as a more hawkish commander than Gen. Anupong, who is said to have been reluctant to use heavy firepower against the Red Shirts' barricades because he wanted to retire without his countrymen's blood on his hands. Gen. Anupong and other top generals overthrew Thaksin in a bloodless coup.

"If Gen. Prayuth does get his promotion, it will be seen as reward for his service during the latest campaign against the Red Shirts, aside from the fact that the deputy army chief is actually in line to succeed Gen. Anupong," the Bangkok Post reported on July 15.

At least five other top military leaders also are expected to be promoted, including Deputy Chief of Staff Dapong Ratanasuwan, who is considered the strategic planner of the army's operation to contain the Red Shirt rebellion.

Thailand's military wields a lucrative and influential media arm, owning more than 200 radio frequencies, a TV station and a TV channel's concession.

But the military has not staged any victory parades after crushing the Reds, perhaps mindful that the civilian government should have the public spotlight.

During the crackdown against the Red Shirts in April and May, grim-faced uniformed officers frequently appeared on TV to speak to the public, prompting some to question why Mr. Abhisit was not more visible.

The prime minister also was criticized for sheltering inside a military base in Bangkok for several weeks during the Reds' insurrection - eating and sleeping near Gen. Anupong's office, apparently fearing assassination.

Today, the military's image is still a sensitive topic.

Official TV broadcasts and other displays feature flashbacks of armed soldiers trying to restore peace to Bangkok's Red Shirt-infested streets while valiantly ushering innocent civilians out of harm's way.

However, problems arose immediately when a new Positive Network group of people from advertising, public relations, media agencies and TV associations produced a video titled "Apologize Thailand" in mid-July.

The video includes graphic footage of clashes between the army and the Reds, along with other troubling aspects of Thai society, and was banned from being broadcast.

Its narrator asks in part: "Did we do anything wrong? Did we handle anything too harshly? Did we listen to only one side of the story? Did we perform our duties? Did we really think of people? Were we corrupt?"

The narrator advises: "If there was anyone to blame, it would be all of us. Apologize Thailand."

After Thailand was cited internationally for censoring thousands of websites, plus other media, Mr. Abhisit said "Apologize Thailand" could be broadcast on TV, but television censors demanded it be "corrected" before it could air.

Thailand's "military is first and foremost an armed bureaucracy, which does not fight wars," analyst Duncan McCargo wrote in a 2002 article, "Security, Development and Political Participation in Thailand: Alternative Currencies of Legitimacy."

"Instead, military officers have preferred to devote their energies to the more interesting and satisfying professions of business and politics. Their core businesses have been smuggling, logging, and profiting from the country's natural resources," wrote Mr. McCargo, a professor of Southeast Asian politics at Leeds University in England.

"In politics, they have consistently claimed for themselves high political office - many of Thailand's prime ministers have had a military background - and a share in the running of the country."

The military has appeared pleased that Mr. Abhisit increased the defense budget and generously allowed several controversial weapons-procurement contracts.

One of the prime minister's most controversial moves regarding the army has been to ignore complaints that the military wasted $24 million on bogus bomb-detection equipment.

Earlier this year, the devices - GT200s - were exposed as frauds and denounced by the Thai government. Nevertheless, the military continued using the hand-held devices in southern areas and subsequently detained several innocent Muslims as possible insurgents but missed actual bombs that killed several troops.

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Sacrava's Political Cartoon: Baby Abishit

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

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In Brazil, Thailand Objects Again to Preah Vihear Plans

Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington, DC Thursday, 29 July 2010

“Protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural heritage means building the peace, respect and solidarity which lies at the heart of Unesco's mission.”

Thailand has re-raised objections to the World Heritage status of Preah Vihear temple on the northern border.

At a meeting of Unesco in Brazil, Thai officials said they do not agree with a Cambodian management plan for the 11th-Century temple, which is now at the heart of an ongoing military standoff on the border.

Both Thailand and Cambodia have had troops amassed along the border since the July 2008 inception of the temple as a Heritage site under Cambodian control.

Unesco spokeswoman Sue Williams told VOA Khmer from Brazil that Cambodia had presented a plan for consideration. However, she said the border dispute between the two countries was “strictly bilateral” and declined to comment further on the Thai objections.

Cambodia's management plan, submitted by a delegation led by Cabinet Minister Sok An, has provoked strong disapproval from Thailand, which claims a 4-kilometer strip of land near Preah Vihear temple.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was quoted in the Bangkok Post saying Thailand would reconsider its ties with Unesco if the body approves the plan.

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said Thailand’s argument was to ultimately co-manage the temple, which sits on a high precipice overlooking the plains of Preah Vihear province.

Unesco Director General Irina Bokova said in a statement that the Brazil meeting, which ends Aug. 3, will examine the state of conservation of the temple.

“Protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural heritage means building the peace, respect and solidarity which lies at the heart of Unesco's mission,” she said. “It is our common responsibility to makes these sites emblems of peace, dialogue and reconciliation.”

At least eight soldiers have died in ensuing skirmishes since the military standoff began, along a border that has yet to be fully demarcated by either side.

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Abhisit outmanoeuvred by Hun Sen on disputed temple [-War threat against Cambodia?]

July 30, 2010
By Thanong Khanthong
The Nation

"If Cambodia insists on managing Preah Vihear, Thailand should respond in kind by closing the borders and stopping all trade with its neighbour. This would be the first warning. Thai soldiers on the border are on high alert. If the first warning goes unheeded, we should reserve the right, under our sovereignty, to drive out any nationals infringing upon our land."

THE DISPUTE between Thailand and Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple complex has once again flared up to rattle the national psyche. However, this time the Abhisit government appears to be inept in its diplomatic manoeuvring, and completelyunprepared for the campaign by Cambodian Prime minister Hun Sen.

After securing World Heritage status for Preah Vihear, Cambodia is now launching a follow-up drive to manage the ancient site, which lies on a mountainside in what is currently Cambodian territory, but which can be accessed only from the Thai side of the border demarcation.

A 21-member Unesco committee has been meeting in Brazil this week and, it will be voting on whether to approve the Cambodian management plan for Preah Vihear. If the approval is effected, Thailand could technically lose sovereignty over 4.6 square kilometres of disputed land near the 11th-century Khmer temple, as well as the area around the temple.

Thailand appears to be totally isolated on the issue. Most of the major powers are backing Cambodia on the management plan for the temple. This will allow interested parties a window of opportunity to take part in the development project for Preah Vihear, plus other business deals with Cambodia afterward.

Cambodia is trying every means to squeeze the territory from Thailand. The implication from this Unesco meeting is significant, for the claim over the land territory will have implications for maritime claims in the Gulf of Thailand, which are rich in oil and natural gas deposits.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that Cambodia had sovereignty over Preah Vihear. Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, the then prime minister, cried emotionally when he told the nation via a live radio broadcast that having to lose the temple to Cambodia was one of the darkest moments in the country's history. Thai soldiers guarding Preah Vihear pulled out the poles carrying the Thai flag and left the area with heavy hearts.

At the time, Thailand tacitly honoured - but did not accept - the International Court of Justice's ruling. Thailand's position then, as now, is that it reserves the right to appeal against the court's ruling when the time is appropriate.

Noppadon Pattama, the foreign minsiter during the Samak government, signed a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia over the World Heritage status for Preah Vihear. This MOU was approved afterwards by the Cabinet. Later, the Constitution Court ruled that the MOU was unconstitutional because it is considered an international agreement - and such agreements must be approved by the Thai National Assembly first.

Subsequent governments have not done anything to address this mistake. Now it is assumed that Preah Vihear is a Unesco-approved World Heritage site. And Cambodia is moving on with its proposed management plan without any input from Thailand.

Abhisit is now in deep trouble because his government has done nothing to counter the relentless Cambodian campaign. So far, Thailand has threatened to withdraw from the United Nations World Heritage Convention if its committee approves the Cambodian management plan to the disputed temple, even though the long-standing boundary demarcation issue has not yet been resolved.

Moreover, it looks like Thailand could lose more territories as a result of this ploy. Thailand lost Laos and several areas of Cambodia to France during the colonial period. It seems that history is repeating itself.

But now the situation is even more complicated. In 1962, the Thai people were united in their hearts and minds over the Preah Vihear issue. Now they are divided, with many looking at the dispute as a political diversion or an issue of extreme nationalism. In fact, it is a security and sovereignty issue.

By failing to block Cambodia's plan from the outset, Abhisit has allowed the dispute to spiral out of control.

If Cambodia insists on managing Preah Vihear, Thailand should respond in kind by closing the borders and stopping all trade with its neighbour. This would be the first warning. Thai soldiers on the border are on high alert. If the first warning goes unheeded, we should reserve the right, under our sovereignty, to drive out any nationals infringing upon our land.

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